German photographer based in Vancouver, Birthe Piontek presents Mimesis. "We create, share and look at millions of images of ourselves every day, in a tireless attempt to provide tangible proof of our existence. To be reassured, we somehow need to make ourselves more seen – by ourselves and by others. As any glance in the mirror, photograph taken or portrait painted only offers a small glimpse of a being, images merely serve as a representation of the original. But what is the reality of the self? "With Mimesis, she appropriates, changes and reinterprets the original representations, in an effort to invite the viewer to look beyond the surface.

Here one may discover further embedded layers – the uncanny, the mysterious, the sad, the joyful, the painful – an expanding perceptual experience inviting exploration of the unknown parts of the self.

Birthe Piontek studied photography at Essen University, Germany. Amongst her solo shows features The Idea of Northdisplayed at VU Photo, Quebec City (2012), as well as Kominek Gallery, Berlin, Odd Gallery, Dawson City, Canada. In 2011, her book The Idea of North has been published at photolucida. Before that, she had been part of the Magenta Foundation (Canada) and Photo Descubrimientos (Photo Espanã, Madrid) emerging photography shortlists.